We are proud to announce that our colleague Thomas Humphrey, Board Member of Be an Angel e.V. and Friends of Be an Angel Inc., has been shortlisted as “Young Humanitarian Hero of the Year” – an international award honoring young people under 30 who have made an outstanding contribution to humanitarian work. The final winner will be decided by public vote, and we need your help!
At just 29 years old, Thomas has already built a record of service that spans medical aid, digital innovation, and frontline relief in Ukraine.
Thomas began his humanitarian career in the first week of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With his own savings, he launched a small volunteer initiative that delivered €67,000 worth of medicine to frontline hospitals and evacuated refugees to Germany. When his resources ran out, he joined Be an Angel as a volunteer at our warehouse in western Ukraine, where he rebuilt the sorting system to increase efficiency. Our director invited him to Odesa, where he conducted an evacuation from the frontline city of Mykolaiv. Soon after, he was onboarded as manager of the humanitarian aid and logistics program at our US team Friends of be an Angel.
From there, Thomas never looked back. In only three years, he and our team have acquired, managed, and delivered 4,925 tons of humanitarian aid valued at $62.8 million, often overseeing deliveries into frontline regions himself.
Our director, Andreas Tölke, remembers Thomas’s first steps with Be an Angel:
“About three years ago, Thomas wrote on Instagram that he wanted to volunteer with us. Ten days later, he was already in our warehouse in Lviv. Since then, he has brought structure, order, and innovation everywhere he goes – from our aid logistics to our website and intranet. He is a nerd in the most affectionate sense, and with the skills and commitment he brings, he has become indispensable to our work.”
Dr. Douglas Davis, a close colleague in UA-MED, highlights Thomas’s transformative role:
“Thomas doesn’t just respond to emergencies – he builds systems that prevent the next one. Whether he’s evacuating vulnerable children, managing complex aid deliveries, or quietly coding a new infrastructure behind the scenes, his work is driven by humility, purpose, and deep care for the people he serves.”
AidEx is one of the world’s leading international events dedicated to humanitarian aid and development. Held annually in Europe, it brings together NGOs, UN agencies, donors, governments, and private sector partners to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and strengthen collaboration in the humanitarian sector. With thousands of participants from over 65 countries, AidEx has become a hub for sharing best practices and building partnerships that drive impact in crises worldwide.
As part of this gathering, AidEx hosts the AidEx Humanitarian Hero Awards, which recognize individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, leadership, and innovation in humanitarian work.
The Young Humanitarian Hero of the Year category specifically honors outstanding humanitarians under the age of 30 who have already made a significant impact. It highlights the next generation of humanitarian leaders—those who are reshaping the field through courage, creativity, and commitment to helping people in need.
👉 Now we need your help.
Please take a two minutes of your time to support Thomas by casting your vote in the “Young Humanitarian Hero of the Year” category.
